Parent-Infant Pathways:
An Educator's Guide to Providing Information and Support to
New Parents

There are predictable times when parents
will benefit from specific information,
insights, and support. New parents are
especially eager to understand their
infant's growth and development. The period
following the birth of a child offers a
special opportunity for professionals to
reach new parents with important information
and to build relationships. Parent-Infant
Pathways captures the key information needed
by new parents, has effective strategies and
materials to impart this information, and
explains how to empower parents and
demonstrate support.

The Parent-Infant Pathways course is
designed to enhance the work of
professionals in the fields of early
education, early intervention, parent
education, nursing, pediatrics, social
service, and health care by providing
specific training around early infant
development, parent education, and
parent-infant relationships.

Each pathway of information is supported
by current research and reflects best
practice. Upon completion of the course,
participants will be better able to address
new parents' questions, thoughts, and
concerns as well as help parents more easily
identify infant communication cues and
capabilities.

Registration Information

To register for clock hours:

You will be emailed getting started instructions, including how to access the course site, on the Friday before the session begins.

To register for academic credit:

There is a two-step registration process. You must complete both steps in order to fully and completely register for this course. You will be emailed getting started instructions, including how to access the course site, on the Friday before the session begins.

Degree-seeking students currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota may not use our for-credit courses toward their degree program. Should a currently enrolled student choose to register for academic credit, the student may be subjected to additional University fees.

Degree-seeking students enrolled in schools other than the University of Minnesota wishing to use our course as an elective must directly seek prior approval from their degree program.

Complete and submit the Registration Request for Graduate Credit form. Complete the highlighted sections (e.g., do NOT register via OneStop; send your Grad Credit Request form to CEED, not the University. Questions? Contact Karen Anderson at ander352@umn.edu). To register for summer session: This form must be received in CEED's office no later than September 14, 2015. CEED will obtain the appropriate approval signatures and forward your form to One Stop Student Services.

When the University processes your request form, you will receive a confirmation from One Stop Student Services with information regarding your student account and payment. You must activate your student account to make your payment.

On the Friday before the session begins, you will be emailed getting started instructions, including how to access the course site.

Required Materials

Pearson, J. (2006).
Parent-Infant Pathways: An
Educator's Guide for
Providing Information and
Support to New Parents and
Pathways Teaching
Photographs booklet. ISBN:
978-1-4276-2869-5.

Renee Torbenson, Instructor

Renee
Torbenson, BS, MA, Licensed Parent Educator, Lactation Educator, Certified
Infant Massage Instructor. Ms. Torbenson holds a B.S. from the University of
Minnesota and a M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, St.
Paul. Renee has been an educator for over 35 years--25 years in the Minneapolis
Early Childhood Education (ECFE) program as a parent educator and infant
specialist working with parents of newborns through 18 months. Renee was
instrumental in beginning the collaboration with North Memorial Hospital where
she has implemented the Parent-Infant Pathways curriculum for the past 15 years
in her work as a family educator.

Testimonials from Participants

"This was a great
experience and a fantastic
way to add to my knowledge
base. It was easy to
navigate through the course
and the information was
presented in various formats
that filled my needs. I will
not hesitate to take another
online CEED course."

"The research-based
information will be
invaluable to me in my work
as an early childhood
teacher."

"I can recommend your
course wholeheartedly to
those interested in
increasing their knowledge
in the field of infant
development and parent
education."

"It was a wonderful
course. I feel so lucky to
have been a part of it."

"Thank you for the
wonderful course. I am
recommending it to our
special education teachers.
I found the information very
useful for our population."

"Despite all the
intuitive knowledge that
comes from experience...what
this course is giving me is
practical ways to...work
with families."